Roy Hodgson has told his players “to be brave and show some courage” in games,
yet England’s manager is considering a conservative system to combat France
in their first Euro 2012 game in Donetsk next week.

Conservative: England manager Roy Hodgson is likely to take a defensive approach in the Euro 2012 group match against France on June 11Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The majority of Hodgson’s England team picks itself. The goalkeeper, Joe Hart, will be shielded by John Terry and Joleon Lescott, who steps in for the unfortunate Gary Cahill, with the full-back berths filled by Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole. Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker patrol central midfield.

In attack, Ashley Young should be partnered by Danny Welbeck, who scored a fine goal in the 1-0 friendly win over Belgium at Wembley on Saturday, and looks more suited to running at France’s centre-back Philippe Mexes than Andy Carroll. Hodgson has now assessed Carroll against Norway and Welbeck against Belgium. “Both of them did pretty well,’’ Hodgson said.

The main debate is focused on the wide acres, on whether Hodgson himself will “show some courage” and pick bold fliers like Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or wingers who contribute more defensively.

The expectation is that Hodgson will be cautious against France, deploying Downing on the left for Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner on the right instead of Walcott. Milner’s greater defensive strengths will be important against Franck Ribery.

After pointing out that Milner and Walcott “are different types of player”, Hodgson hardly waved the starting flag for the Arsenal man.

“The thing about Theo is that he has had quite a few chances in the team,’’ Hodgson said. “It seems to me that quite often his name will come up in these situations. When he has started games it has been quite the opposite and people have said you need someone else in there.

“If I opt for Milner and it doesn’t go well I should have played Walcott. If I opt for Walcott and it doesn’t go well I should have played Milner. I am not trying to be clever. They are different types of player.’’

In speaking generally about how “very pleased” he was with the players’ work-rate, Hodgson singled out Milner along with Gerrard.

“Take Milner and Gerrard in the last two games,’’ Hodgson said. “They have done really well to work as hard as they have done. They have taken up good positions defensively.”

Gerrard is captain and his starting place is never in doubt but the praise for the reliable Milner is significant, hinting at his involvement against France.

Hodgson nodded at the critique that Oxlade-Chamberlain was “over-excitable” against Belgium on his first start. “It is a good fault though, isn’t it?’’ reflected Hodgson. “We have been trying to encourage that a little bit.

“We have got quick players. I don’t think we have got into those areas (behind full-backs) anywhere near as much as I’d have liked. We will do a lot more work on that aspect. But the good thing is that if we could get into those areas, the players we have got there, with their pace and ability, can cause problems.

“Our message to the players has been that they have to be brave and show some courage. They have to try it on. If it doesn’t work, we will take the responsibility. We would rather they take it on, than turn back and play the ball back again because you are worried that if you try and go by the guy and lose the ball everyone is going to criticise you. He [Oxlade-Chamberlain] took that message very much on board.

“With a stricter or a kinder referee he might have got a few free-kicks for some of the times when he lost the ball.

“I have a team in my head that can do very well against France. They were 20 games unbeaten before Estonia (tomorrow), who are not one of the top 10 teams in the world, so it could be 21.

“When you have gone 21 games unbeaten you obviously have something. They might have to replace Yann M’Vila (with a sprained ankle) but the team takes care of itself.

“We can’t suggest at the moment that we are in that position, not least because of our key figures, Wayne Rooney can’t play in the first two games, and others have left us.

“I am happier we are moving towards a team that can not only give them a game but, if we have a bit of luck on our side, perhaps we can win it.’’